From the Guidelines
Globalization poses significant challenges for managing Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) bacteria, including the increased spread of resistant strains across borders, but it also offers benefits such as international collaboration, improved access to effective treatments, and enhanced diagnostic capabilities. The primary challenge of globalization is the increased spread of MDR bacteria across borders due to greater human mobility, making containment more difficult as resistant strains can quickly travel between countries 1. According to estimates from the European Center of Disease and Control (ECDC), antibiotic-resistant bacteria caused 600 000 infections and 27 000 attributable deaths in 2015 in Europe, with almost 70% of this disease burden caused by multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) 1.
Key Challenges
- Increased spread of MDR bacteria across borders due to human mobility
- Inconsistent treatment protocols across countries leading to further drug resistance development
- Limited resources in developing nations for effective diagnosis and treatment of MDR bacteria
Key Benefits
- International collaboration enabling the sharing of medical expertise and best practices
- Global funding mechanisms increasing resources for MDR bacteria programs in resource-limited settings
- Improved access to effective treatments, such as newly approved antibiotics with activity against MDR-GNB 1 To maximize the benefits of globalization while minimizing its challenges, countries must strengthen cross-border infection control efforts, standardize treatment protocols, and continue investing in global research and development initiatives to combat MDR bacteria. The World Health Organization has prioritized four MDR-GNB phenotypes as of critical priority for future research and development investments, and since 2017, five new antibiotics with activity against MDR-GNB were approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 1. However, the scientific community and public health agencies are strongly calling for an increasingly parsimonious use of available antibiotics to prevent further development of resistance 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Challenges of Globalization on MDR Bacteria
- The spread of MDR bacteria is a major challenge to healthcare systems worldwide, with human-to-human transmission and limited therapeutic options 2.
- Globalization has led to the increased spread of MDR bacteria, with countries like India, China, and the Russian Federation having high concentrations of MDR-TB cases 3.
- The emergence of resistance to drugs used to treat TB threatens to undo progress made in controlling the disease, with up to one third of TB cases in some countries being multidrug-resistant 3.
- The global spread of MDR bacteria is further complicated by the lack of effective diagnostic tools and treatment options, making it difficult to contain outbreaks 4, 5.
Benefits of Globalization on MDR Bacteria
- Globalization has facilitated the sharing of knowledge and expertise in the development of new diagnostic technologies and treatment options for MDR bacteria 5, 6.
- International collaboration has led to the identification of priority pathogens, such as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the development of targeted treatment strategies 5, 6.
- The global response to the threat of MDR bacteria has led to the development of new antibiotics and treatment guidelines, which have improved patient outcomes and reduced the spread of these pathogens 4, 6.
Impact of Globalization on MDR Bacteria
- Globalization has increased the risk of MDR bacteria spread through international travel and trade, highlighting the need for enhanced surveillance and infection control measures 2, 6.
- The economic burden of MDR bacteria outbreaks is significant, with hospitals and healthcare institutions incurring huge costs for disinfection and containment efforts 6.
- The development of effective treatment strategies and antibiotics is critical to addressing the global threat of MDR bacteria, and international collaboration is essential to achieving this goal 4, 5, 6.